Stress? It’s all just a laugh isn’t it?
Why we’re having a laugh.
Stress isn’t funny. But ironically laughter can help if you’re feeling tense.
It makes you happier, healthier and even substitutes for a workout.
Here’s how:
When you laugh, your body relaxes and releases endorphins (happy hormones) into the blood stream.
The stress hormone Cortisol decreases more rapidly when you’re laughing.
Laughter increases your natural killer immune cells which attack viruses and tumours.
The University of Michigan states that just 20 seconds of laughter is as good for the lungs as three minutes on a rowing machine.
The average adult laughs about 15 times a day. Whereas the average child laughs about 400 times, so try and up your average for an instant hit of happiness.
The great news – and this is truly remarkable – is that your body cannot distinguish between a real laugh or a fake one. The positive effects on your body come either way. So even if you don’t feel like it, laugh. We promise you’ll feel better!
(Tee hee!)
With thanks to the Stress Management Society: www.stress.org.uk
